Authorities checking on a state judge who failed to show up for work
found him dead in the den of his home Monday, a semiautomatic pistol and
spent shell casing lying nearby.

Police are investigating to determine if the gunshot wound was
self-inflicted.

The body of State District Judge Ed Aparicio, 46, was found
shortly after a news release was issued announcing he was resigning to
dedicate more time to his family and to personal family matters that
required immediate attention. The release did not elaborate.

"The demands of my position as your judge have unfortunately taken a
toll on my personal life," the release said.

A telephone call to the judge's attorney Monday was not immediately
returned.

Sheriff Lupe Trevino said he and one of his captains found the body
after the judge did not show up to work. He said they found Aparicio's
body sitting on the floor in a large pool of blood in the corner of a den.
The gun and shell casing were nearby. All the doors of the house were
locked.

Weslaco police spokesman David Molina said he wasn't aware of a suicide
note being found.

Aparicio's chambers and home had been the target of an
FBIsearch in January 2004, when an
anti-corruption task force seized dozens of paintings, photos and documents.
Federal prosecutors have declined to release details of the search or say what
prompted it.

The highly publicized raid didn't stop Hidalgo
Countyvoters from re-electing him to a
third term in March 2004. The former Houston attorney was first elected judge in
1997.

Weslaco is a town of about 25,000 people in the southern
tip of Texas near the Mexican border.

The sooner we get J.A.I.L. passed, the sooner
People's frustrations with the judiciary will subside. With the current
unaccountable judiciary, the People become like injured animals trapped in a
corner with no place to go for healing. With no redress available in practice in
our courts, victims of judicial tyranny are bound to resort to irrational
behavior. Without J.A.I.L., the situation will only get worse.